August 350 Blocks Report
Posted on August 31, 2023 by prairiemoonquilts in 350 Blocks ProjectWell! I apologize for being mostly absent for the entire month of August. I didn’t even get all of my messages responded to, and didn’t post any Studio Organizing Challenges, either — it was an insanely busy month. Something had to fall by the wayside, and evidently, that was my blog!
Hopefully, I’ll do better this coming month. We are heading into my two favorite months of the year, and there’s that feeling in the air that I love so much. I hope we have a really long and lovely fall here in north central Missouri. I’m ready.
I spent most of my serious work time in August at the longarm. I had some big deadlines that are now finished and over with, and I’ve moved on to the next set of deadlines, which is looming very close, so I’ve had my nose to the grindstone when I haven’t been busy with family stuff. I’ve been spending a LOT of time with my Daddy. He is getting Alzheimer’s and has started falling some, so he can’t be left unsupervised. He tells everyone, “They won’t leave me alone any more. And they won’t let me drive, but then again, I couldn’t even if I wanted to.” He’s still full of funny nuggets now and then! I go sit with him a few times a week, so my stepmom can have a break from taking care of him and go run some errands, or even get a haircut. I sometimes wonder how she even finds time to take a shower!
Because of that, I’ve been doing more knitting than quilting some days. One day, after watching me for a bit, Daddy inquired: “And just what is the end result of that gonna be?”
I said: “It’s gonna be a baby hat.” And isn’t it adorable? Quite possibly the cutest (and quickest) thing I’ve ever knitted. My friend, Vera, provided me with a pattern to knit the hats flat, since I abhor using double-pointed needles, so this one is super easy and quick.
I’m on my third one already, trying to use up all the leftover yarn from my 2019 Temperature Scarf. I’ve also knitted several dishcloths. It has to be something that’s easy to pick up and put down at a moment’s notice, since watching Daddy is a full-time job. If he takes a notion, he just gets up and wanders off. My sister arrived one day to find him rearranging the patio furniture — on the neighbor’s patio! While his wife was in the bathroom, he had managed to escape!
As for blocks, I managed to get 168 made this month, in spite of myself, which oddly, is my best month yet this year. I didn’t really work on the projects I thought I would, but at least some things still got worked on.
I made 12 more mystery quilt blocks, and yes, I will show those to you when I can.
I made 83 four-patches for a UFO I drug out of hiding. Here’s a sampling of some of them:
I made another block for my Blast from the Past quilt:
Another Daredevils block (only 3 left!):
Another Improv Herringbone block, four snowball blocks, eight 9-patches, and two blocks for my Patchwork City quilt that I evidently didn’t take photos of. And I made 56 blocks for another old UFO scrap quilt that I will show you once I finish setting it together (it went super quick, so I’m almost done).
I must say, I’m super proud of those of you who are so busy finishing up older projects and getting so much done! I’m trying to do that my ownself, hence my progress on the two older UFOs I pulled out to work on. I hope to keep at that, and whittle down my UFO pile and the number of storage tubs I have piled around here. I seriously want way less stuff sitting around (part of my current downsizing/minimalism kick), and I will tell you exactly why in another upcoming post.
Meanwhile, it’s time for you all to report in with how your August went! I know some of you were predicting that you wouldn’t get much done, since you were traveling and doing other things, and I completely understand that.
I finally took time to update the Project Page, which I was also really behind on. Our new goal for September is 35 blocks, which will bring us up to a year-to-date total of 247. We’re gettin’ there!
The July prize winner is Randy — she has really boosted our group total with a total of 1055 so far this year!
I’m wishing you all a lovely September filled with as much stitching as you’d like to do!
I made a quilt from found materials’, including a sewing machine, scissors, cardboard template… It was a hoot. The small island that my mom is from has a cottage and for a week I was with out quilting stuff. My nephew found everything as the dump at the free exchange.
So24 striated triangles, 20 blocks for the star tooth, a couple to finish a donation quilt. 56. Probably more .
I’m not quilting much these days, but once winter sets in, I’ve been challenged to make a t-shirt quilt (my first ever) to donate to a Mayberry Festival in June. I’m sorry to hear about your daddy – he’s such a nice man! Tell him I said hello and see if he remembers me. He and Mom went to school together, I think. I know Mom and Hazel did. Mom always had all good things to say about your folks. Hang in there. (I’ve been there by a sick parent’s bedside, so I get it.)
I made 127 blocks this month. Thanks for all the encouragement I find here.
My total is 250! Shocked me. Am working on a storm at sea and there are a lot of blocks in it. I actually got a lot accomplished this month. Someone gave me fabric scraps, so I sorted and cut those down to size, cleaned 3 shelves in my sewing room closet, moved everything (bins, etc.) on my floor and vacuumed everywhere. What a job. My sewing room was originally a small bedroom and has carpeting. It’s a pain for use in a sewing room, but it is the way it is. As for sewing, I made 3 more quilt tops and sandwiched and quilted 4 quilts. Still need to bind them. Exhausted but feeling accomplished. lol.
Unfortunately I didn’t get any blocks done! I’m at the physio stage for my fractured left arm. Some of the exercises are painful but I’m doing what I can. I’m told it will be at least 8 months before my arm is completely back to normal. If I feel I can sew for a few minutes I sure will!
86 blocks for me. My current Cross & Crown quilt–naming it Barberry Bramble–has taken up so much of my piecing time but I can’t wait to share the finish next Tues! Where did August go?
Shelly, You will never know what a blessing you are to your stepmom and your dad!
I’m pretty much in the same boat with Bobby! Our dear friend, Mike, takes him for a few hours when he can. He’s a busy man though! I just want to thank you for what you’re doing!
I managed to get 35 block made for the month. I’ve been working on braided fleece rope toys and tote bags made from dog food and cat food bags for a local pet shelter. I’ve made 45 braided fleece toys and 8 bags so far. I’ve got another 12 bag prepped and ready to sew.
I am making 4 patches from leftover corners cut from snowball blocks because I just can’t bear to waste a scrap of my Kaffe fabric. I’ve made 176 blocks and quilted and bound 2 small quilts.
No blocks for me this month. 😭 We’ve had out of town company for most of the month and I just haven’t had time to sew. September should be much better.
I’m not absolutely sure I reported my July blocks. If I didn’t, it was 31. In August, I made 49 blocks, for a YTD total of 573.
No blocks here since last time, but I did pull out another UFO, scrappy trips around the world done like watercolours – Bonnie Hunter pattern, but the watercolour was inspired by a lady called Barbara and I can’t remember her blog, I did credit her a while back on FB when I used to go on there and she said “that’s me!” so I thanked her. Sadly no longer with us. So digressing, I’ve made a border and it is now ready to quilt. I also got out a Jacobs ladder to finish that, but didn’t have enough fabric, so undid a whole row. Since then I’ve found the very fabric, cut up ready, so botty on chair and I’ve been doing very well with that challenge, but not the blocks – almost! LOL!
And life happens to us all so no worries about the blog – we can wait! xx
So sorry about your father. It is great that you can spend time with him. Love your knitted caps! Amazing that you made so many blocks! Congratulations! This month I made only 13 blocks, but four of the blocks were appliqué blocks for Birds in the Garden. Each of those blocks takes me days.
i love your little baby hat 😊
considering its August, I am surprised I have any blocks to report, but I do. I made 28 star blocks in 30s prints. surprisingly the 80x 80″ quilt only needs 29 blocks, but they are quite large. the last one i need to make is 32″! learned a valuable lesson, cut your bigger block pieces out first or you wont have big enough pieces in the end to cut them from. so that is my goal for next month, finish that one big block off, and put the top together.
For August I made 134 blocks, four different types. Like Karen I’m also not sure if I reported my July blocks, there were just 20 of those.
Hugs for you, helping to look after your Daddy. A true labor of love.
Your Dad is important. I go two days a week to stay with my mom as she had dementia. She doesn’t fall and remembers me, but I have to do a lot for her like help he with her shower. It takes time. Put me down for 60 blocks this month.
My month was pretty quiet, just 15 blocks for a mystery quilt with my guild. I took the finished quilt off the long arm this afternoon. It will make a nice comfort quilt.
Well i didn’t do much – only 8. But did quilt 4 tops. Maybe next month!!
I am finally able to sew again! I made 228 blocks.
It’s a hard season you are in dealing with a failing parent…so glad you still have some good times with him. You got so much accomplished to boot. I’ve always felt that I got more done when I had deadlines and lots to do. However I wouldn’t choose to go back to the rat race. Being retired and being able to do what I feel like at whatever pace fits me just fine.
I looked at some “before” pictures of my sewing room and other areas from when I first retired ( almost 5 years ago). So much is gone and all is much better organized. It surprised me how much has changed. My sewing room is very functional now and I park my car in the garage…2 big changes.
As for blocks…I did 51. Made all the connectors for Blast from the past, some additional blocks and a pieced border and now it’s waiting for quilting. Started a new embroidery project and completed 4 blocks, another small project and mostly sewed blocks together and made backings. Next month will be focusing on quilting again so still will stay behind on blocks I presume, but that’s ok.
16 blocks
46 blocks-
I was able to get 34 blocks made in August. Not a lot but still able to sew and make blocks.
0 blocks for me in August. I’m not sure where the month went or what I got accomplished! I know I started a new hand embroidery project that will eventually go on our bed. Hugs to you and your sister as you two navigate this rough chapter of life.
Praying for your dad. It is so good that he has you to take care of him. I got only 2 blocks done in August. Working on getting more done this month.
I made 162 blocks this month. I have made some of them for quilting leftovers. I have finished two throw size quilts that are going to be donated to a patient home here in KV. What a fun way to use those scraps. I have two more throws in my plans for September to go to that same home. The crazy part of quilting is that the scrap bin continues to fill no matter what I do!! I think I should never have bought all that fabric for the past 30 years!!
I started and finished one quilt and it is hard to count the blocks for this quilt but I will say 21.
93 blocks which made two tops, both pieced. One was a Quilt of Valor that went to Liberty, MO along with three others. Also quilted and bound two quilts, cut out another one, and made several small items. I made a batch of Key Fob Coin Pouches. Several of them from IH tractor fabrics for my best pal in Liberty. Her dad worked for the IH dealership in Denison, IA when we were growing up and she sends me IH fabrics. I am giving them to her to had out as gifts to family members.
You show what can be accomplished even when it seems like you’re stretched so close to your limits…thank you for sharing what’s happening in your world and some of your blocks! My total for August is 10. I’m binding a quilt in my spare moments, contemplating a label ahead of time for the top I finished last month so it’s ready when the quilt returns from the quilter, and planning to clear a space on my cutting table to cut fat eighths for a few blocks I would like to make this weekend.
August was a little better than July, but 2 retreats coming up in September – YAY!!
So, 18 blocks for August.
I managed to get 60 blocks done this month (woohoo!) – a big jump for me from past months. We’ll see how I do in September! Glad you are near your dad so you can spend time with him – those days are precious.
67 blocks for August! Finally made some time to sew. And now I’ve just finished pinning a quilt sandwich that I’ll hopefully be able to stitch soon. I’m still woefully behind in my block progress, but haven’t given up.
I’m sorry about your daddy, but it sounds as though he hasn’t lost his sense of humor. He’s lucky to have his loving family around him. May God bless him.
10 blocks in August.
Treasure your time with your dad!
57 blocks for me this month! Love seeing your Daredevils progress….mine still isn’t quilted so one day soon you will have caught up to me!
On the road again. Don’t have my block totals with me. That will need to wait until I return home in a few weeks.
I am back to working my day job so my sewing time has been drastically reduced. I started a new quilt for our bed called Atomic Starburst by Violet Craft. I got 52 atomic starburst diamond blocks done this month. Great news! My Mad Dash quilt is headed to Utah to hang in the Garden of Quilts at Thanksgiving Point, September 15 &16. It’s a great outdoor show to see if you’re near Salt Lake City. The gardens are as stunning as all the quilts.
I remember those days, sitting with my Mom and knitting premie hats. Also my mother-in-law and making hats for her to give to the wonderful employees at her assisted living residence.
15 blocks made this month. My focus has been on Halloween quilts. One a log cabin to use up the scraps from the other, a challenge quilt due in October.
I love your little 4-patch blocks. I have many of the same 30’s fabrics.
I ended up with 105 blocks for August.
August is busy with the start of school and the arrival of a grandson this year. Still, I managed 28 blocks. That brings me to 611 so far. I, too, have an unfinished 4 patch I am working on. Hopefully we’ll both make progress in September.
Wow, what a full month you had! I had quite a bit of sewing as well. Lots of quilting, and I spent more than my usual amount of time in the sewing room. I knew that I was making a lot of blocks, but I was pretty shocked when my total for the month came to 270! Glad that I had some finished quilts too!
Your total for me says 30 so that means I didn’t report July! 🤦🏻♀️. I have 22 for July and 32 for August. That should bring my total to 84.
I only got four blocks done this month but did other quilting and sewing. What a sweet story about your father asking what the end result is going to be when you’re knitting.
So glad you are able to spend time with your dad and care for him. Time goes by way too fast.
I had 23 blocks this month – 15 to finish the inner borders (some strips and small checkerboards) on my Jen Kingwell Green Tea and Sweet Beans sew-a-long, 6 for my guild’s row x row, and 2 for a project for my cousin. I’m working on the outer appliqued border on the Kingwell now.
I had 110 blocks this month. 4-Days filled with Joy mystery, 4 -Bouquet Topper, 36 – Celebration, 42 – Times Ten, 16 Scrappy spools, 2 – Sherry McConnell BOM, 1 – Jacquelyn Steves project and 5 – Evergreen quilt. That should be 110. Thanks for all your work on this project, and I am sorry to hear about your Dad’s problems. Spend of much time with him as you can. You will be glad you did.
I made 34 blocks in August, and went on a fabulous trip to Peru! Back to normal life and school now.
Prayers for your family. Challenging times. I’m glad you have your knitting to keep you company as you visit with your dad. Only 15 blocks for me in August. But that’s better than my big fat zero a couple months ago 🤪. And by the way, I think I dislike sewing things together as much as you dislike double points!
You did well for August. I did get more made in August than most months this year! 60 total. 48 for the Strip and Strings Rail Fence, 6 for my Two Rivers quilt top and counted 6 for my Quickie Strippy top. It’s about 38 by 54 so I figured 18 inch blocks. And a lot of fabric has been donated to Linus! I did spend a lot of the month sorting. Still have more to sort through too. Prayers for your family.
I’m surprised that I had 54. I did a lot of sorting and getting finished project boxes empty and fabric put away. Also had a local shop have big sales to reduce inventory after owner died, so I had bought fabrics to find a home in my sewing room.
Thanks for keeping this up especially with family commitments. My mother had dementia before she passed, but we were able to keep her at home for many years. She was not an escape artist.
Wow, your list of accomplishments was long and varied. Maintain your sense of humor about your dad. We couldn’t change what was happening, but even dark humor helped us through that time.
My total was only 15 more for a yearly total of 558, bad month.
I know I’m late for the party but we just returned from a month long motorhome trip yesterday. I haven’t posted on my blog for the month either.
I took my featherweight with me and completed a miniature Storm at Sea top which included 100 blocks. Sorry to hear about your dad. Enjoy him while you have him.
I know I am a little late, but I did complete 77 blocks for August
I made 81 blocks for August.
I made 84 blocks in too-hot September. I’m working on the hardest paper-piecing I’ve ever done and I’m pushing to have the top done before Thanksgiving. We’re adding a new baby girl to the family!
September 12 blocks